Join The Oil Tribe in this new podcast series that simplifies on-site oil analysis one conversation at a time!

Tailored for reliability professionals, this podcast is hosted by Lisa Williams, Digital Product Manager at AMETEK Spectro Scientific. Each episode features an in-depth conversation with an expert or customer, focusing on the practical realities of oil analysis, process improvements, and the latest innovations in maintenance diagnostics. 

In Episode 2, Lisa welcomes Rafe Britton, Technical Director – LUBRICATION EXPERT for an extensive discussion on real-world lubrication engineering, on-site diagnostics, third-party lab experiences, and the transformative role of technology in proactive maintenance strategies.

The Foundation of Lubrication Technologies

The conversation starts off with a shared passion for improving equipment uptime through effective lubrication strategies. Lisa underscores that lubrication engineering is no longer just about choosing the right oil—it's about understanding lubricant condition monitoring, equipment-specific challenges, and how data-driven diagnostics can transform maintenance strategies. 

“Lubrication isn't a static process anymore. With the right tools, it's a proactive, precision-driven decision-making system,” Lisa notes. 

This approach becomes critical in reducing unplanned downtime, optimizing asset life, and avoiding catastrophic failures in industrial environments. 

Oil & Grease Analysis: Why It Matters 

One of the central themes is the importance of regular oil and grease analysis. As Lisa explains, lubricants are the lifeblood of machinery. Analyzing them helps detect early signs of wear, contamination, oxidation, or additive depletion—conditions that are invisible during routine inspections. 

“Without oil analysis, you're essentially driving blind,” says Rafe. 

Grease analysis, while less commonly performed than oil analysis, is equally vital—especially in industries where grease-lubricated components are critical to operations. It provides actionable insights into contamination, base oil degradation, and thickener breakdown.  
 
“Without these insights, you're essentially guessing,” Lisa remarks. “Spectro Scientific’s tools are built to eliminate that guesswork.” 

Advanced on-site oil analysis solutions from Spectro Scientific’s

Lisa provides a hands-on breakdown of Spectro Scientific’s key instruments—each designed for ease of use, reliability, and speed in the field: 

• FieldLab 58 
  Built for military and industrial use, the rugged FieldLab 58 is a portable analyzer engineered for rapid, on-site decision-making. It combines advanced technologies including metals spectroscopy via XRF, infrared spectroscopy, viscosity analysis, ferrous debris monitoring, and particle count detection—all to deliver actionable insights in minutes. 
  
  
• FluidScan 
  Enables in-field lubricant condition analysis using infrared spectroscopy. Detects water, soot, oxidation, nitration, and other chemical changes with lab-grade accuracy. 
  
  
• FerroCheck 
  Measures ferrous wear particles—a key indicator of internal wear—using magnetometric sensors. Ideal for engines, gearboxes, and turbines. 
  
  
• TruVu 360 
  A centralized data intelligence platform that aggregates oil analysis results, tracks historical trends, and uses advanced algorithms for predictive diagnostics and maintenance scheduling. 

“TruVu 360 turns individual data points into a full picture of equipment health,” Lisa adds. “It gives reliability teams the confidence to act fast—and act right.” 

Empowering Decision-Making at the Source: The Case for On-Site Oil Analysis

In today's fast-paced industrial environments, waiting days for lab results is no longer a viable option when equipment uptime and asset health are on the line. That’s why more operations are turning to on-site oil analysis—a smarter, faster, and more proactive approach to condition monitoring. 

Why On-Site Oil Analysis Matters 

At the core of what we do is real-time oil condition monitoring. On-site oil analysis delivers immediate insights, enabling operators and reliability teams to make informed decisions without delay. Compared to third-party labs, which may offer high accuracy but come with delayed turnaround times and limited flexibility, on-site tools ensure: 

Instant Results: No waiting on sample shipping or lab queues. 

Faster Decision-Making: Critical maintenance decisions can be made in real time. 

Cost Efficiency: Long-term savings through proactive intervention and reduced unplanned downtime. 

Overcoming Challenges with Expertise and Technology

While adopting on-site diagnostics requires training and investment in portable tools, we make this transition seamless. Our advanced systems are backed by intuitive interfaces, advanced alarm tools and diagnostics, and dedicated customer support—eliminating the guesswork from data analysis. 

Fluid Management Academy: Training the Next Generation

Lisa also highlights the Fluid Management Academy—Spectro Scientific’s educational initiative designed to empower reliability professionals through on-demand learning, certifications, and application-specific training. 

“We’re not just providing tools. We’re enabling people to understand and act on data,” Lisa says. “That’s what sets Spectro Scientific apart.” 

The Academy complements the hardware and software by building a skilled workforce that knows how to interpret oil analysis data in real-world settings. 

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Lubricant Monitoring

Artificial intelligence is reshaping lubrication reliability. Lisa shares how Spectro Scientific’s integration of AI in TruVu 360 helps users: 

• Detect subtle failure patterns 
• Generate alerts before symptoms arise 
• Automated report generation and recommendations
• Optimize oil drain intervals and maintenance cycles 

Industry Collaboration: Mentorship and Community

Toward the end of the podcast, Lisa and Rafe discuss the value of community and mentorship in the lubrication space. Events like Lube Expo, Noria’s Reliable Plant, STLE conferences ASTM, and learning platforms like Spectro’s Fluid Management Academy enable professionals to grow and adapt together. 

Rafe points out. “People are willing to share what works—and that accelerates improvement for everyone.” 

Lisa agrees, adding that Spectro Scientific remains committed to open learning and ongoing innovation. 

Conclusion: Life and Lubrication Analysis

This episode of the Oil Tribe Podcast reaffirms that lubrication analysis is not just a technical process—it’s a skill for modern maintenance. 

With tools like FieldLab 58, FluidScan, FerroCheck, and TruVu 360, and support from the Fluid Management Academy, Spectro Scientific is enabling industries to move from reactive to predictive, from guesswork to confidence. 

As Lisa aptly puts it, “Lubrication is life inside the machine. And with the right analysis, you can make every operational decision count.” 

About the Speakers

Host: Lisa Williams Digital Product Manager, AMETEK Spectro Scientific Certified Lubrication Specialist™ (CLS), MLA I, LLA II Chair, ASTM D02 CS96 Committee Lisa brings extensive expertise in digital diagnostics, condition monitoring, and lubricant standardization

Speaker: Rafe Britton  Technical Director, Lubrication Expert  YouTube Host, Industry Educator  MLE, MLA III, MLT II Certified  Rafe works closely with industrial operators to optimize lubrication strategies and shares industry insights through media and conferences globally.